Sanford, Florida (CNN) — George Zimmerman apologized Friday to the family of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed African-American teen that he shot in a confrontation that riveted a nation and sparked intense discussions about race, racial profiling and gun laws.

Zimmerman spoke moments before a Florida judge set a $150,000 bond that will let him get out of jail while he awaits trial.

“I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son,” Zimmerman said in an unusual appeal directly to Martin’s family before he testified in the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford. “I thought he was a little bit younger than I was, and I did not know if he was armed or not.”

Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, said after the hearing that his client was responding to an interview in which Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, said she wanted to hear from the man who shot her son.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

-Investigator says authorities don’t know who started fight that led to death -Defendant’s father says his son’s face was swollen and had gashes the next day -Attorneys for Trayvon Martin’s family call apology “disingenuous” -George Zimmerman tells the teen’s family he is sorry for what happened

[…] 911 tells zimmerman not to get out of car…![…] zimmerman follows further the deceased…![…] the deceased has not done nothing…![…] there is a physical confrontation, of obviously who started it…![…] how can you use a gun for anything…?[…] a concealed weapon would mean, to request stop, hands up ![…] no, apparently in the struggle zimmerman “pulls” a gun…! again, it did not go off accidentally…! stick them up, or whatever ! as another weapon is not “appearing” how can you shoot ?[…] what kind of gun does not need to be “cocked” or pre-loaded …? where was this gun on him ? did he actually have it out all the time ? […][…] a small bond is so that he can get out easy…! will he kill others ? will he try and fix evidence up ? many things are at stake ! anyway an extra breath of freedom is sometimes used ! or will he get acquitted ! “the glove does not fit !”…!

…anyway what is going to prevail ? forensic physical evidence or witnesses ? and will solely a conscience decision of a jury/judge incarcerate ?

…i think what ever may happen to zimmerman, his family should law suit the use of guns and why this guy could have one legally for so easy use ? guns are a too military excessive use of force for normal citizens ! and this funny “stand your ground” law, that could have misled everything…!

… sorry, but i love analysis, and they put it all on TV at you, what else can you expect…!?

… i would not want to be in zimmerman’s boots nor does anybody folks !…lawyers and judges have to work with and amongst many public opinions, as it is a matter of modern time easy communication availability…!